HAYDOCK CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY ON THE OLD TESTAMENT

ECCLESIASTICUS 40

CHAPTER XL.

Ver. 1. Labour, "anxiety," ascolia. M. --- All misery (C.) is in consequence of original sin. W. --- The life of man is a trial. Job vii. 1. and xiv. 1. --- Of all. The earth, (C.) which covers us, when all other things cast us away. Pliny ii. 63.

Ver. 4. Purple. Lit. "hyacinth," (H.) or violet colour. Purple was more like scarlet.

Ver. 5. Knowledge. He is disquieted by restless (C.) and frightful dreams. v. 6. H.

Ver. 7. Fear, or no reason for it. C.

Ver. 8. Beast. Their instinct causes them to fear death, to fight, &c.

Ver. 9. Moreover. Gr. "death," &c. are all destined for the wicked.

Ver. 12. Out, and severely punished. C. --- They shall not appear in the book of life.

Ver. 14. Rejoice. The corrupt judge once rejoiced: but now he shall mourn. H. --- The possessions and grandeur of the unjust shall end in a moment, like a clap of thunder. Ps. xxxvi. 36. Prov. x. 25. C.

Ver. 15. And make. Gr. "they are unclean," (H.) and will produce no fruit.

Ver. 16. Weed. Lit. "verdure." Gr. Achei, (H.) properly denotes the rush, papyrus, which grows on the banks of the Nile, (Gen. xli. 2. C.) and was used for fuel. Alpin. i. 7. Matt. vi. 30. --- Thus the wicked will presently (C.) be treated. M.

Ver. 17. Grace. The beneficent will produce fruits, like those of paradise. Gen. ii. 8.

Ver. 18. That is. Gr. "and of one that." --- In it. Gr. "and more than both is one discovering a treasure," (H.) who finds himself rich, without labour or injustice.

Ver. 19. Both. Thus Judith, Zenobia, &c. ennobled their husbands. Prov. xxxi. 10.

Ver. 20. Wisdom. Virtue gives more content to the soul than corporal pleasures do to the body. It brings us near to God. C.

Ver. 22. Green. "The sight of no colour is more agreeable to the eyes." Pliny xxxvii. 1. --- The Church is more excellent than the synagogue. W.

Ver. 23. Husband. Their union is closer, and they can best assist each other.

Ver. 25. Counsel. By this the Romans conquered the world. 1 Mac. viii. 31. Prov. xi. 14.

Ver. 26. Heart, and make people presumptuous; while piety gives real courage. Ps. xxvi. 1. C.

Ver. 28. It, or "him." H. --- The virtuous man is covered with glory.

Ver. 29. Indigent. Gr. "live not by begging," being too lazy to work, or incurring this punishment for thy sins. Lev. xxvi. 16. Ps. cviii. Deut. xv. 4. Involuntary poverty is a most severe scourge. C. --- All are bound too labour for what is needful; (W.) some by prayer, others by trade, &c. H.

Ver. 30. Meat. Such is the condition of the parasite, (C.) and of the beggar. H.

Ver. 32. Unwise. Some read, "impudent man," with the Gr. --- Fire. He shall feel the inconveniences of poverty; (H.) yet will not work, being lost to all shame. C. --- Plato (Leg. 11.) orders magistrates to "clear the country of such an animal," zwou, (H.) and the Lacedemonians suffered no beggars among them.